Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza Misses Final, Eyes Bronze; Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat to Lead India

Saturday, 19 September, 2026 - 1:15 PM

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India’s opening day at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya brought both disappointment and a fresh medal opportunity. Indian teqball player Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza narrowly missed out on a place in the women’s singles final, losing her semifinal against Indonesia’s Ima Sumaya.

Quimcy started strongly and won the opening set, but Sumaya fought back to take the second set before dominating the deciding game. The Indonesian eventually won the semifinal 2-1, ending Quimcy’s hopes of reaching the final. However, her Asian Games campaign is not over yet. She will compete for the bronze medal on September 20.

Strong Start but Tough Finish in Asian games

Quimcy had entered the semifinal after an impressive run in the competition. She topped her group and secured a direct place in the semifinals. Earlier, she had defeated Japan’s top seed Yuina Sakamoto in a closely fought match before registering another victory against Cambodia’s Koemyean DY.

Against Sumaya, Quimcy began confidently and managed to take the first set. The match then turned into a closely contested battle, with Sumaya responding strongly in the second set. In the deciding set, Quimcy initially led 4-1, raising hopes of a place in the final.

However, Sumaya produced a decisive comeback and went on a long scoring run. The Indonesian eventually won the third set 12-7 and booked her place in the final. Quimcy will now have another opportunity to finish on the podium when she takes on Japan’s Yuina Sakamoto in the bronze-medal match.

A Historic Opportunity for Indian Teqball in Asian games

Quimcy’s campaign is significant because teqball is making its Asian Games debut at the Aichi-Nagoya edition. Her semifinal appearance has already placed her among the notable Indian performers in the sport’s first appearance at the continental multi-sport event.

The 24-year-old athlete’s journey to the Asian Games has also been unusual. She initially competed in middle-distance running and later represented Maharashtra in football. She discovered teqball while recovering from a ligament injury and gradually moved into the sport.

Her progress has come despite teqball having a relatively small competitive ecosystem in India. Her Asian Games appearance therefore represents an important opportunity not only for her but also for the growth of the sport in the country.

Opening Ceremony to Mark Official Start

While several competitions have already begun, the opening ceremony on September 19 will formally mark the start of the 2026 Asian Games. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium and will begin at 2:30 PM IST for Indian viewers.

Athletes and officials from across Asia will participate in the ceremony, with the Indian contingent taking part in the parade of nations. The Games are being hosted across Aichi and Nagoya in Japan and will bring together athletes competing in a wide range of sports.

Manu Bhaker to Carry the Indian Flag in Asian Games

Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will lead the Indian contingent as the female flag-bearer. Her selection marks another significant moment in a career that has already included two Olympic medals at the Paris 2024 Games.

Bhaker has said that carrying the Indian flag at the opening ceremony is a special honour. She has also encouraged athletes to enjoy the experience and focus on giving their best during the competition.

Bhaker will herself be one of India’s important competitors in shooting at the Asian Games. Her presence at the ceremony adds a prominent sporting figure to India’s representation at the opening event.

Pawan Sehrawat Replaces Tajinderpal Toor

There was a last-minute change in India’s male flag-bearer shortly before the ceremony. Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor after Toor was unable to receive his official ceremonial kit in time.

The Indian Olympic Association cited technical issues related to the kit. Toor was originally scheduled to accompany Bhaker, but Pawan Sehrawat was named as his replacement.

Sehrawat is an Asian Games gold medallist and a key figure in Indian kabaddi. He was part of the Indian team that won gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. He will also be competing in kabaddi at the current Games.

Toor Still Has His Own Medal Mission

Although Toor will miss the opening ceremony, his Asian Games campaign continues. The shot-putter is aiming for a third consecutive Asian Games gold medal after winning the title at Jakarta 2018 and retaining it at Hangzhou 2022.

His absence from the ceremony is therefore linked only to the flag-bearing responsibility and does not mean he has withdrawn from the competition. He remains part of India’s athletics campaign and will look to defend his title when the athletics events begin.

India’s Campaign Begins With Multiple Stories

India enters the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after a strong showing at the previous edition in Hangzhou. The opening day has already produced a mix of promising performances and challenging results, with Quimcy’s teqball run standing out as one of the early stories.

For Quimcy, the focus now shifts from the disappointment of missing the final to the bronze-medal contest. A podium finish would give her and Indian teqball a significant achievement at the sport’s Asian Games debut.

At the same time, Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony, symbolising the country’s representation across shooting and kabaddi.

Conclusion

The 2026 Asian Games have begun with Indian athletes already making their presence felt. Quimcy Dsouza may have missed the teqball final after a 1-2 semifinal defeat to Indonesia’s Ima Sumaya, but she still has a chance to win a bronze medal.

As the opening ceremony formally gets underway in Nagoya, Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat will lead the Indian contingent. With several medal events still ahead, India’s campaign is set to enter a busy phase, with athletes from shooting, kabaddi, athletics, cricket, teqball and other disciplines competing for honours in Aichi-Nagoya.

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